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INTRODUCTION

Some States record/collect information on premises within their State in information management systems 

other than the Emergency Management Response System 2.0 (EMRS2). However, EMRS2 is the APHIS 

Veterinary Services (VS) system of record for animal health incidents in the United States. Having accurate 

premises data in EMRS2, prior to an incident, significantly facilitates response efforts and allows resources 

to be devoted to other critical information management tasks during an outbreak.

In preparation for an animal health incident, States may request that premises data are imported into 

EMRS2 so that information is available to assist response operations in the event of an outbreak. USDA 

APHIS Veterinary Services (VS)/EMRS provides a manageable and secure central information system that 

is available, ready, and has been proven successful. From the USDA APHIS perspective, having premises 

data in EMRS2 prior to an incident is strongly preferred to importing it during a response, though it is 

possible to do the latter as required.

IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE DATA

A national Premises Identification Number (PIN) is required in EMRS2. An accurate premises data set has a 

valid 911 address and a set of matching coordinates (latitude and longitude). These data reflect the actual 

location of the front gate leading to the animals on the premises. It is critical to have the exact physical 

location of animals for response activities. Using mailing addresses or personal residence addresses is 

extremely problematic. First, it may be difficult to locate the animals. Second, the address may or may not 

be in the same zone or area as the animals on the premises. During an outbreak, time spent tracking down 

physical animal locations is valuable time lost. 

STATE DATA

Under State authority, there has been a wide variation in how States have managed premises identification 

and collection of premises data. Some States allow the self-registration of premises, while others allow 

users to change their information. In many cases, producers register a residence or mailing address instead 

of the physical location of the animal premises. While this may not pose a problem for the State(s), this type 

of data is not compatible with response requirements, which include that the physical location of the animals 

to be entered in EMRS2. Subsequently and problematically, the national allocator—when queried with an 

existing PIN—will pull an address different from the one that has been entered and edited. Therefore, in 

order to successfully import premises into EMRS2, all premises data must be verified to ensure that the data 

being entered into EMRS2 is accurate and appropriate. 

IMPORTING DATA

As stated, USDA APHIS VS/EMRS2 is ready and able to import premises data from States; a number of 

methods are available to complete the process. In some States, it is possible to directly access the State 

database and query the system using an existing tool. However, in many States, information technology 

capabilities and security issues make this direct access and query process difficult. Nevertheless, premises 

data can still be imported into EMRS2 if the State provides a file with three elements: PIN (if assigned), 911 

address, and front gate coordinates for where the animals are located.

Once the State provides this information, there are two key stages to import the data. First, a spot check is 

conducted in a mapping application to ensure that the majority of the premises appear to have valid 911 

addresses and matching coordinates entered for the animal location, rather than other types of addresses. 

Second, raw records are imported into EMRS2; a number of processes then validate the imported 

information and create the records required in EMRS2, such as the premises, animal business, 

investigation, and others. 

EMRS 2.0

Premises Data Transfer to EMRS2 from 

External/State-Based Systems

June 15, 2020
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While it may seem quick and easy to upload raw, invalidated data from States into EMRS2, this can have 

serious consequences in an outbreak and ultimately diminish the effectiveness of any response effort. If 

States are not planning to share premises data prior to an outbreak, a quality assurance program can at 

least help to ensure that the import process of premises into EMRS2 goes more smoothly; again, sharing 

premises information prior to an incident is preferred. The amount of time required depends primarily on the 

accuracy of the existing data as well as personnel available. However, if the PIN is already assigned and the 

data provided by the State is mostly accurate, then it takes approximately 2 hours to import 5,000 premises 

into EMRS2.

For more information on importing premises data into EMRS2, please contact Dr. Fred Bourgeois 

(Fred.G.Bourgeois@usda.gov).